Machine for assorting eggs according to weight



J. A. HILL 2,442,689

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MACHINE FOR ASSORT'ING EGGS ACCORDING TO WEIGHT June 1, 1948.

Filed Sept. 29, 1943 June 1, 1948.

J. A. HILL 2,442,689

MACHINE FOR ASSORTING EGGS ACCORDING T0 Filed Sept. 29, 1943 WEIGHT 3Sheets-Sheet 3 by u'aawm A. l/lLl-a Mag/airway, Fara-115M081:

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Patented June 1, 1948 MACHINE non ASSOBTING noes acoonnmo 'ro wmon'rJoshua A. Hill, Canoga Park, Calif.

Application September 29, 1943, Serial No. 504,226

20 Claims. 1

My invention relates to the art of grading machinery, and moreparticularly to a machine adapted to grade ovate or spherical articlesby weight.

My invention is of particular utility in the eg grading art and,consequently, will be described in connection therewith for illustrativepurposes. although it will be understood that it has other uses andapplications and that I do not intend to be limited to the particularembodiment described.

It is customary in the egg industry to grade eggs for market accordingto their weight, the usual grades-sold being large, medium, and small,"depending upon their weight. Some overweight eggs are sold as "extralarge, and some underweight eggs are sold as peewees.

According to present almost universal practice, each egg is separatelyweighed on an individual scale by hand to determine its size grade formarket, which is a laborious and time-consuming method of handling eggs,and very undesirable. Several types of automatic egg rading machines areon the market, but they are large, intricate, delicate machines whichare so costly that the large majority of egg handlers are unable topurchase or operate them.

It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide an egggrading machine which will simply and efliciently automatically grade bymarketable weights a flow of eggs fed to it.

A further important object of the invention is to provide such a machinewhich is simple and cheap to construct and economical to operate,whereby it may be made available to those members of the public who areat present unable to purchase or use automatic egg grading machincry.

I prefer to accomplish the foregoing objects by providing a longitudinaltrack having a Pinrality of separate scales in the line of the track,each scale being adapted to remove from the track an egg of apredetermined minimum weight, and having mechanism for conveying a flowof eggs along the track and onto the scales in sequence until removedfrom the track by one of ,the scales, and this is a further object of myinvention.

Another object of my invention is to provide a conveyor for an ovate orspherical object, in-' vide an egg grading machine having such a. trackand such a conveyor as described above.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel gate mechanismfor feeding by gravity a sequence of objects at predetermined spacedintervals to a conveyor track.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the drawings, which are for illustrativepurposes only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the feeding mechanism ofmy invention shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the feedingmechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view, partially broken away, showing thedetails of one of the scales of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, andincluding part of the discharge apron.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a baflie plate of the invention.

Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic sectional views illustrating the camactuating mechanism of the feeding mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the balance arms of the scale shown inFigs. 5 and 6.

Fiat-11 is a perspective view of the supporting arms of the scale shownin Figs. 5 and 6. 1

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the general elements of apreferred embodiment of the invention are a supporting base l0, trackmeans ii, scale means 33, conveyor means 83, power means 92, feedermeans 95, gate means I00, and receiver means 24.

The supporting base ID has suitably fixed thereon the track means II,which has an inlet end l2 and a discharge end l3, As best shown in Figs.3 and 4, the track means ii is in the form of a shallow pan, providingupwardly projecting edges i4 and I5 which form'the tracks of the trackmeans. The track means II is formed of a plurality of longitudinallyaligned segments including the inlet end I 2, the discharge end I3, andintermediate segments l1 and II, the segments and discharge end beingsuitably supported on the base i0, as by posts I9, and the inlet end i2being supported on the supporting base by a solid wooden block 20. Asbest shown in Fig. 2, the supporting base III is disposed substantiallyhorizontal, and relative to it the inlet end l2 of the track means II isinclined slightly Y downwardly from the inlet end thereof toward thedischarge end of the track means. Also, as will be noted. theintermediate segments l1 and I8 and the discharge end I! of the trackmeans are slightly upwardly inclined from the inlet end toward thedischarge end thereof. for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

At the discharge end of the track means ii is disposed a transverseterminal discharge apron 2| which slopes downwardly from its point ofregistry with the discharge end l3 of the track means to its lower end22 which rests on the receiver means 24. As will be noted from Fig. 2,the terminal discharge apron 2| is slightly concave in cross section onits upper surface to guide an egg or other object rolling downwardlythereon from the track means il' into the receiver means 24, as will bedescribed hereinafter.

The receiver means 24 in the form shown is a shallow box 28 havinupwardly extending outer retaining walls 28. as best shown in Fig. 1,and being divided by vertical partitions 21 into a first receivingcompartment 28, a second receiving compartment 28, a third receivingcompartment 38, and a fourth receiving compartment 3| into 4 callyaligned with a connection 81 between the rear arms," and 88 when theyare in substantially horizontal position. and which serves to limitclockwise rotation of the balance arm 48, as

seeninFig, 8.

Secured to the rearportions of the forward arms 41 and 48 are verticalplates 88 and 88, respectively, having vertical slots 88 and 8| therein.respectively. the upper ends oi. which are open.

The slots 88 and 8f receive opposite ends of a wire 83 which ishorizontally disposed and looped about the vertical stud 48, as bestshown in Fig.

' 5. The function of the wire 83 is to retain the which the terminaldischarge apron 2| extends.

thereonto from the track means, as illustrated in As best shown in Figs.1 and 2, the scale means 33 includes three identical scales 34, 38, and38 disposed in the line of the track means II. For example, the mannerin which the scale 34 coope erates with the inlet end i2 and theintermediate segment I! of the track means Ii is illustrated in Fig. 5.The scale 34, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, includes a supportingbracket 31 or substantially U-shape having a pair of vertical sidemembers 38 and 39 and a flat bottom plate 48 extending therebetween. thebottom plate 40 being suitably secured to the supporting base Ill, as bywood screws 4|. Secured to the side members 38 and 38-andextendinghorizontally therebetween is a balance member 42 having an upwardlydirected knife edge 43 which provides a main pivot point for the scalemeans 33. Rigidly secured to and extending upwardly from the center ofthe balance member 42 is a vertical stud 48, the upper end of which isthreaded for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

Supported on the knife edge 43 of the balance member 42 is a balance arm48 which is substantially Y-shaped, as illustrated in Fig. 5, havingforward arms 41 and 48, the rear ends of which are bent inwardly toprovide closely spaced rear arms 49 and 88 providing a relatively narrowslot 5i therebetween. A notch 82 is provided in the under side of eachof the arms 41 and 48 into which the knife edge 43 enters, to retain thearms in position on the knife edge. A screw 83 extends through the .slot8| and through a washer-shaped counterbalance member 84 which issupported directly on the rear arms 48 and 80, the screw being held inplace by a nut 88 on the lower end thereof. As will be apparent, byloosening the nut 85, the counterbalance 84 may be moved toward or awayfrom the balance arms 41 and 48 against lateral movement relative to theside members 88 and 38, to center the balance arm 48. Spanning the sidemembers 38- and 38 and seated on the upper ends thereof is a top plate84 having downwardly extending engaging ears 88 at each end thereofwhich make a relatively tight sliding fit with the outer surfaces of theside members, the top plate also having a central opening through whichthe vertical stud 45 extends. A wing nut 88 is threaded'onto the upperend of the vertical stud 48 to retain the top tailgate 84 in position onthe side members 38 and Pivotally supported .on the forward ends of theforward arms 4'I'and 48 is a scale track 81 which is adapted'when inhorizontal position to register in alignment with the inlet end l2 andthe intermediate segment I! of the track means ii. The scale track 81has rigidly secured thereto a pair of downwardly extending track arms 88which are spaced so that they will be disposed within the forward arms41 and 48 of the balance arm 48. Extending through the I upper ends ofthe track arms 88 and through the outer ends of the forward arms 41 and48 of the balance arm 48 is a track pivot bar 89 which pivotallysupports the scale track 81 on the balance arm 48. Secured to andextending between the track arms 88 is a round guide bar l8 having aroller sleeve Ii rotatable thereon which engages in guide slots 12 and13 formed in guide plates I4 and 15, respectively, which extend upwardlyfrom an integral bottom plate 18 suitably secured to the supportinglbase l0. As will be noted, each of the guide slots 72 and 13 has anupper vertical portion 11, a central semicircular portion I8, and alower sloping portion 19. As will be evident from Fig. 6, the bal- 81 isin the dumping position illustrated in Fig.

6, it extends downwardly and over a receiving apron 8! which is suitablyfixed to the block member 42 and secured in any desired peel-- tionrelative thereto. Also secured to the supporting base it is a stop post88 which is verti- 28 as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and'6. As will benoted, the receiving apron 8i slopes downwardly onto the upper surfaceof the first receiving compartment 28. As will also be noted, the scaletrack 81, when in its upper position, registers withand forms a part ofthe track means ll, so that an egg or other object may be rolled alongthe track means II and over the scale 34. As will be understood, thescales 35 and 38 are identical in all respects with the scale 34 andwill not be separately described in detail, it being evident that thescale tracks of each scale register with and cooperate with the trackmeans II to provide a continuous track from the inlet end l2 to thedischarge end I3.

The conveyor means 83 includes a rotatable shaft 84 journaled insuitable bearings 85 supported by brackets 88 rigidly mounted on thesupporting base I0. Supported on the rotatable shaft 84 is a spiral worm81, supported by plates 88 secured to the shaft. As will be noted, the

worm 81 is of substantial diameter and extends along the entire lengthof the track means II,

just clearing the upper face thereof. Over the inlet end I2 of the trackmeans II a baii'ie 89 is secured to,the spiral worm 81 and is disposedin a plane perpendicular to the track means II. The baiiie 89 issubstantially semicircular in configuration, as best illustrated in Fig.7. The shaft 84 is adapted to be rotated in the direction of the arrow80 shown in Figs. 2 and 4 by the power means 92.

The power means 82 includes an electric motor 98 connected by a beltdrive 94 with the shaft 84 of the conveyor means 88. The motor 83 ispreferably a low speed motor and may include any desirable reductiongear system so as to pro vide a relatively slow rate of rotation of theshaft 84.

To feed eggs or other appropriate objects to be graded to the machine,the feeder means 98 is provided. The feeder means 98 includesa feedertrack 98 supported by a block 91 on the supporting base I so as to slopedownwardly and register at its lower end with the inlet end I2 of thetrack means II. Ovate or spherical objects placed on the feeder track 98will roll by gravity downwardly thereon onto the inlet end I2ofthetrackmeans II.

Adapted to cooperate with the feeder track 98 is a pair of verticallymovable horizontal gate members 98 and 99, which are included in thegate means I00 of the invention. The gate means I00 also includes afirst cam member IN and a second cam member I02, both of which arerigidly fixed to the shaft 84, as by press fitting or otherwise. Theshape and relative positions of the cam members IOI and I02 are ofconsiderable importance and are best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. Thecam member IN is cylindrical 'in form but is set on the shaft 84eccentric to its axis so as to provide a high cam surface I03 on oneside thereof. On the other hand, the cam member I02 is substantiallycylindrical and is set on the shaft 84 concentric with the axis thereof,but is provided with a short, relatively steep cam surface I04 providedwith a radial step I05 back to the semicircular outer surface of the cammember. As will be noted from Figs. 8 and 9, the high point I03 on thecam surface of the fifst cam member IN is approximately 90 out of phasewith the steep cam surface I04 on the second cam member I02. As bestshown in Figs. 1 and 2, rigidly secured to the bracket 88 at the inletend I2 is a bracket plate I08 to which in turn is rigidly secured aU-shaped supporting arm I01 having upwardly extending ears I08 and I09.Pivoted to the ear I09, as by a suitable pivot pin or otherwise, is afirst cam lever III which rests on the first cam member IOI. Similarly,pivoted to the ear I08, as by a suitable pivot pin or otherwise, is asecond cam lever II2 which rests on the second cam member I02. As shownin Fig. 9, the first cam lever III is provided at its free end with avertically depending rod II3, the lower end being provided with acircular eye II4. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 8, the second cam lever H2is provided at its free end with a vertically depending rod H5; havingat its lower end an eye II8. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, aU-shaped rod II1 passes through the eye I I4 and is supported thereby,

6 having supported thereon the gate member 88 which is preferably in theform of a cylindrical rod, the other end of the rod II1 being pivotallysecured in the block 91, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Similarly, as shownin Figs. 8 and 4, a U-shaped rod II8 passes through the eye II8, the endadjacent the eye having fixed thereon the second gate member 89, theother end I2I of the rod IIO being pivotally secured in the block 81. Asbest illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the first cam lever III has agradually sloping cam surface I28 thereon adapted to engage the camsurface I08 of the first cam member IN, and the second cam lever H2 hasa steep cam surface I24 thereon adapted to engage the cam surface I04 ofthe second cam member I02.

Preliminary to operation, the counterbalance 54 of the scale 84 isadjusted. as previously described, so that a predetermined minimumweight on the scale track 81 will overbalance the counterbalance andcause the scale track to move downwardly to the dumping positionillustrated in the dotted lines of Fig. 6 to permit the scale to dumptherefrom the egg or other object to be graded. Thus, the scale 84 maybe adjusted so that it will move to dumping position only when an egg ofpredetermined large size is placed on the scale track 81 thereof, thescale 85 may be adjusted so that it will move to its dumping positiononly when an egg of intermediate size is placed on its scale track, andthe scale 88 may be adjusted so that it will move to its dumpingposition only when a small egg of predetermined weight is placed on itsscale track. With such a setting, obviously the counterbalances of eachof the scales will be set at a different distance from the knife edge 43of its balance member 42, as generally illustrated in Fig. 1.

In operation, the power means '92 rotates the shaft 84 and consequentlythe worm 81 at a relatively low rate of speed in the direction 'of thearrow 80 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. Ovoids, such as eggs, orspherical objects, are then placed on the feeder track 98, being fedthereto by hand or otherwise. If ovoids are to be graded, they areplaced on the feeder track 98 so that their longitudinal axes aresubstantially normal to the length of the feeder track, as bestillustrated in Fig. 3. Due to the inclined slope of the feeder track 98,the sequence of eggs placed thereon will roll by gravity down the tracktoward the inlet end I2 of the track means II, this providing a gravityfeed for the device. Other forms of feeding mechanism, obviously, may besubstituted without departing from the spirit of my invention.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, an egg I25 isillustrated as resting against the first gate member 98, an egg I28 isillustrated as resting against the second gate member 99, an egg I21 isillustrated as resting against the baffle 88, and an egg I28 isillustrated as being on the scale track 81 of the scale 34. Due to theslightly downwardly inclined upper surface of the inlet end I2 of thetrack means II, the eggs will roll downwardly thereon until they engageand are stopped by the baiiie 89.: However, as soon as the track meansII by the rotation of the worm 81 without any tendency to fall off thetrack means. The same thing is trueof an ovoid which rolls along thetrack means II with its longitudinal axis at all times substantiallyperpendicular to the track, there being substantially no tendency forthe ovoid tofall oil the track means even though it is pushed steadilyand continuously by the worm 8I.

The function of the battle 88 is to prevent more than one egg at a timefrom being on the scale track '81 of the scale 34. The baiile 88 is sodesigned and disposed that it holds the egg I2I from rolling onto thescale track 61 of the scale 34 until the egg I28 has been moved oi! thescale track 61 onto the intermediate segment II, or until it has beendumped by the scale 34 into the receiving compartment 28 and the scaletrack 61 has returned to the position shown in Fig. 4. By the time theworm 81 has moved the egg I28 onto the intermediate segment II. the openend I28 of the baille 88 clears the egg I21, thus allowing it to rollonto the scale track 81 of the scale 34.

The gate members 88 and 88 are designed to feed eggs at spaced intervalsonto the inlet end I2 of the track means II, the intervals being spacedsuch that the inlet end I30 of the worm 81 will not hit the eggs as theyroll from the second gate member 88 onto the inlet end I2 of the trackmeans I I. Also, the second gate member 88 prevents the egg I26 fromrolling onto the inlet end I2 of the track means I I until such time asthe egg I21 has moved onto the scale track 81 and the baffle 88 hasagain come around into a position to hold up further movement of thenext egg tending to roll onto the inlet end of the track means. Thus,the second cam member I02 is disposed relative to the baflle 88 and theinlet end I30 of the worm 81 so that its steep cam surface I04 will onlyengage the cam surface I24 of the second cam lever II2, to raise the camlever H2 and with it the second gate member I20, after the inlet end I30of the worm 81 has passed out of the line of the egg I26, and only afterthe baflie 88 has rotated to a point at which it again occupies aposition preventing the egg I26 from rolling onto the scale track 61 ofthe scale 34. It will thus be understood that the second gate member 88operates as a means for feeding the ovoids or other objects to be gradedonto the inlet end I2 of the track means II at predetermined spacedintervals. Since only one egg at a time can be between the gate members88 and 88, it is very desirable that the gate member 88, after havingmoved vertically to permit the egg I26 to roll thereby and onto theinlet end I2 of the track means II, return to its barrier position, asillustrated in Fig. 4, as quickly as possible. This is accomplished bythe steep cam surfaces I04 and I24 on the second cam element I02 and thesecond cam lever II2, respectively, which permit the second gate memberto quickly resume its barrier position.

The first gate member 88 is provided as an additional safeguard for theproper operation of the second gate member 88. Without the first gatemember 88, I have found that in some forms of the invention,particularly where eggs vary great-- ly in size, occasionally the secondgate member 88 will allow two eggs at a time to pass thereby onto theinlet end I2 of the track means I I. If this occurs, it is veryundesirable because sometimes the inlet end I30 of the worm 81 will hitthe second egg and knock it from the inlet end I2 of the track means II. In other cases, and with eggs more 8 uniformly graded in size, thefirst gate member 88 may be dispensed with entirely, together with itsassociated mechanism, without impairing the.

operation of the device.

As noted, however, the first gate member 88 prevents the egg I28 fromrolling down the feeder track 88 until the second. gate member 88hasalready risen and allowed the egg I26 to pass thereunder and thesecond gate member has returned to its barrier position, and it is onlyat this time that the first gate member 88 rises to allow the egg I28 tomove downwardly into enagement with the second gate member 88. Thislagging action of the first gate member 88 behind the action of the thesecond gate member 88 is provided for by the phase relationship of thefirst and second cam members IN and I82, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and9. and as pointed out hereinabove. By providing this gate means I00, Ihave passed hundreds of dozens of eggs of widely varying weights andsizes through my device without having any of the eggs inadvertentlyfall or be displaced from the track means II as they are being fedthereto;

As indicated above, the scale 34 will only move to its dumping positionillustrated by the dotted lines 80 in Fig. 6 when a large egg, i. e., anegg weighing more than a predetermined minimum, passes onto the scaletrack 81, when this occurs, the egg over-balances the counterbalance 64,and the balance arm 46 moves in a counterclockwise direction, as seen inFig. 6, about the main pivot point provided by the knife edge 43 of thebalance member 42. Since the guide bar I0 secured to the track arms 68is at all times guided by the guide slots I2 and I3, upon initialcounterclockwise rotation of the balance arm 46 the scale track 61 willmerely move downwardly while retaining its horizontal position, thebalance arm .46 rotating relative thereto. This is due to the uppervertical portions II or the guide slots I2 and I3, which guide the trackarms 66 vertically through their initial downward movement. As soon asthe guide bar I0 starts to move downwardly through the centralsemicircular portions I8 of the guide slots I2 and I3, the slots causethe track arms 68 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction relative tothe balance arm 46, and movement of the guide bar I0 rearwardly in thelower sloping portions I8 of the guide slots egg has been dumped fromthe scale track 61,

the weight of the counterbalance '53 is sufilcient to start the returnmovement of the balance arms 46 from the dumping position to theirnormal horizontal position, the sloping portions I8 of the slots I2 andI3 providing a cam action tending to aid the movement of the rollersleeve II therethrough.

If an egg weighs less than the predetermined minimum for which the scale34 has been set, the spiral worm 81 rolls the egg off the scale track 61onto the intermediate segment II and thence onto the scale track of thescale 35. If. such an egg weighs more than the predetermined minimum forwhich the scale 35 has been initially set, the scale operates asdescribed above with rela- 9 tion to the scale 34 to dump the egg intothe second receiving compartment 29. As will be understood, if such eggweighs less than the predetermined minimum for which the scale 35 hasbeen set, the spiral worm 81 continues to roll the egg scale means, saidworm having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of saidovoid:

. so as to present an ovoid-engaging face adapted along the track meansI l onto the scale 36, which either dumps the egg into the thirdreceiving compartment 30 or allows it to be passed thereover by theworm, the egg finally being discharged from the discharge end l3 of thetrack means ll onto the terminal discharge apron it, down which the eggrolls into the fourth receiving compartment 3|. Thus, as will beunderstood, all eggs fed to the device which weigh more than apredetermined minimum and which will grade as large aredischarged intothe first receiving compartment 28, all eggs of an intermediate size aredischarged into the second receiving compartment 29, all eggs of a smallsize are discharged into the third receiving compartment 30, and alleggs below grade size are discharged into the fourth receivingcompartment 3 l. Thus. my device continuously grades ovoids or sphericalobjects according to predetermined weight limits.

I have found that when only one worker is gathering eggs from thereceiving means 24 and packing them into market crates or boxes, it isdesirable to limit the rate of feed of the eg s through'the device toabout three dozen eggs per minute, as about the limit of eggs which oneworker can remove from the receiving means 24 and pack with'ease. I donot intend to be limited to such rate ofr'eed, however, as it will beapparent that the rate of feed may be varied between wide limits withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

a "rough I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, itwill be understood that certain parts and elements thereof may bereplaced by other parts and elements having the same functions withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, and I do not desire to belimited to the specific embodiment shown, but desire to be afiorded thefull scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means having aninlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide an ovoidtherealong; scale means in the line of said track means and adapted toremove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable wonn positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted .to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over said scalemeans. said worm having a diameter substantially greater than thediameter of said ovoids so as to present an ovoidengaging face adaptedto engage an ovoid on said track means at a relatively low angle fromthe longitudinal axis of said ovoid; means for feeding a sequence ofovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals; and means for rotatingsaid worm.

2. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means having aninlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide an ovoidtherealong, said track means being sloped upwardly from said inlet endto said discharge end; scale means in the line of said track means andadapted to remove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over said toengage an'ovoid on said track means at a relatively low angle from thelongitudinal axis of saic ovoid; means for feeding a sequence of ovoid:onto said inlet end at spaced intervals; and mean: for rotating saidworm, the slope of said track means retaining said ovoids in engagementwith sai worm as they are conveyed along said track means by said worm.

- 3. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoid therealong; scale means in the line of said track means andadapted toremove from said track means any ovoldweighing more than apredetermined amount: a. rotatable worm positioned above said trackmeans and parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along saidtrack means from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over saidscale means; gate means synchronized with the rotation of said worm forfeeding a. sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals,said synchronization being such that the end of said worm will notstrike any ovoid tending to displace such ovoid laterally fromsaid trackmeans; and means for rotating said worm.

4. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means having aninlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide an ovoidtherealong; scale means in the line of said track means and adapted toremove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount: a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over said scalemeans; means for feeding a sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end atspaced intervals; stop means associated with said worm for preventingmore than one ovoid from being on said scale means at any one time; andmeans for rotating said worm.

5. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means having aninlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide an ovoidtherealong, said track means being sloped upwardly from said inlet endto said discharge end; scale means in the line of said track means andadapted to remove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over said scalemeans, said worm having a diameter substantially greater than thediameter of said ovoids so as to present an ovoid-engaging face adaptedto engage an ovoid on said track means at a relatively low angle fromthe longitudinal axis of said ovoid: feeder means for feeding a sequenceof ovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals by gravity; and meansfor rotating said worm, the slope of said track means retaining saidovoids in engagement with said worm as they are conveyed along saidtrack means by said worm.

6. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means having aninlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and uide an ovoidtherealong; scale means in the line of said track means and adapted toremove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than a.

- 11 predetermined amount; 'a rotatable worm positioned above said trackmeans and parallel thereto and -adapted to convey an ovoid along saidtrack means from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over saidscale means, said worm rolling said ovoids along said track meansperpendicular to their longitudinal axes, said worm having a diametersubstantially greater than thetrack means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatableworm positioned above said track meansand Parallel thereto and adapted to convey an o'void along said trackistering at its lower end with said track means. whereby an ovoid placedon said feeder track will roll downwardly thereon by gravity onto saidtrack means; gate means in the line of'said feeder track and adapted tofeed ovoids from said feeder track to said track means at spacedintervals; and means for rotating said worm, the slope of said trackmeans retaining said ovoids in engagement means from said inlet endtoward said discharge end and over said scale means; gate meanssynchronized with the rotation of said worm for feeding a sequence ofovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals; stop means associatedwith said worm for preventing more than one ovoid from being on saidscale means at any one time; and means for rotating said worm.

with said worm as they are conveyed along said track'means'by said wo10. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoid therealong; scale means in the line of said track means, saidscale means including a scale track, said scale track being movable inresponse to an ovoid of predetermined weight thereon from a normalposition in which it is aligned and registering with said track means toa dumping position in which it dumps said ovoid therefrom, said scaletrack automatically returning .to said normal position subsequent to thedumping of said ovoid therefrom; a, rotatable worm positioned above saidtrack means and parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid alongsaid track means from said inlet end toward said discharge end and oversaid scale means, said worm having a diameter substantially greater thanthe diameter of said ovoids so as to'present an ovoid-engaging faceadapted to engage an I ovoid on said track means at a relatively low an-8. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means having aninlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide an ovoidtherealong, said trackmeans being sloped upwardly from said inlet end tosaid discharge end; scale means in the line of said track means andadapted to remove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted to convey an' ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over trackmeans, whereby an ovoid placed on said feeder track will roll downwardlythereon by gravity onto said track means; and means for rotating saidworm, the slope of said track means retaining said ovoid in engagementwith said worm as said ovoid is conveyed along said track means by saidworm.

9. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means having aninlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide an ovoidtherealong, said track means being sloped upwardl from said inlet end tosaid discharge end; scale means in the line of said track means andadapted to remove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned abovesaid track meansand parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over said scalemeans, said worm having a. diameter substantially greater than thediameter of said ovoids so as to present an ovoid-engaging face adaptedto engage an ovoid on said track means at a relatively low angle fromthe longitudinal axis of said ovoid; a feeder track sloped downwardlyand reggle from the longitudinal axis of said ovoid;

means for feeding a sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end at spacedintervals; and means for rotating said worm.

11. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoid therealong; scale means in the line of said track means, saidscale means including a scale track, said scale track being movable inresponse to an ovoid of predetermined weight there- 'on from a normalposition in which it is aligned and registering with said track means toa dumping position in which it dumps said ovoid therefrom, said scaletrack automatically returning to said normal position subsequent to thedumping of said ovoid therefrom; a receiver positioned to catch ovoidsdumped by said scale means, said receiver registering with and beingsloped downwardly from said scale means to permit ovoids dumbed ontosaid receiver to roll downwardly discharge end and over said scalemeans, said worm having a diameter substantially greater than thediameter of said ovoids so as to present an ovoid-engaging face adaptedto engage an ovoid on said track means at a relatively low angle fromthe longltuidnal axis of said ovoid; means for feeding a sequence ofovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals; and means for rotatingsaid worm.

12. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide an.ovoid therealong; scale means in the line of said track means, saidscale means including a scale track, said scale track being movable inresponse to an ovoid of predetermined weight thereon from a normalposition in which it is aligned and registering with said track means toa dumping position in which it dumps said ovoid thereceiver registeringwith and being sloped downwardly from said scale means to permit ovoidsdumped onto said receiver to roll downwardly thereon away from saidscale means; cushion means on said receiver for preventing breakage ofovoids moving thereon; a rotatable worm positioned above said trackmeans and parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along saidtrack means from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over saidscale means, said worm having a diameter substantially greater than thediameter of said ovoids so as to present an ovoid-engaging face adaptedto engage" an ovoid on said track means at a relatively low angle fromthe longitudinal axis of said ovoid; means for feeding a sequence ofovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals; and means for rotatingsaid worm.

13. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoid therealong; first scale means in the line of said track meansadjacent said inlet end and adapted to remove from said track means anyovoid weighing more than a first predetermined amount; second scalemeans in the line of said track means between said first scale means andsaid discharge end and adapted to remove from said track means any ovoidweighing more than a second predetermined amount less than said firstpredetermined amount; third scale means in the line of said track meansbetween said second scale means and said discharge end and adapted toremove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than a thirdpredetermined amount less than said second predetermined amount;arotatable worm positioned above said track means and parallel theretoand adapted to convey an ovoid along said track means from said inletend toward said discharge end and over said first, second, and thirdscale means in sequence, said worm having a diameter substantiallygreater than the diameter of said ovoids so as to present anovoidengaging face adapted to engage an ovoid on said track means at arelatively low angle from the longitudinal axis of said ovoid; means forfeeding a sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals;and means for rotating said worm.

14. In an egg-weighing device, the combination of: an arm pivoted on amain pivot point; an e g receiving track pivoted on a track pivot tosaid arm on one side of said main pivot point; a counterbalance on aidarm on the other side of said main pivot point; and guide means forcontrolling rotation of said track about said track pivot in response torotation of said arm about said main pivot point, said guide meanspreventing rotation of said track about said track pivot during aninitial rotational movement of said arm but rotating said track aboutsaid track pivot in response to a subsequent rotational movement of saidarm about said main pivot point.

15. In an egg-weighing device, the combination of: an arm :pivoted on amain pivot point; an egg receiving track pivoted on a track pivot tosaid am on one side of said main pivot point, said receiving track beingdisposed eccentric to said track -pivot, thereby tending to cause saidtrack to rotate about said track pivot in a predetermined direction; acounterbalance on said arm on the other side of said main pivot point;and guide means for permitting rotation 01' said track about said trackpivot only in response to rotation of said arm about said main pivot andfor causing controlled rotation of said track about said track pivot inresponse to said rotation of said arm.

16. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end anda discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoidtherealong; scale means. in the line of said track means and adapted toremove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said dischar end and over said scalemeans; means for feeding a sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end atspaced intervals; stop means associated with said worm for preventingmore than one ovoid from bein on said scale means at any one time, saidstop means including a baflle member having a portion adapted tointermittently block the passage of an ovoid along saidtrack means andso operating in response to rotation of said worm; and means forrotating said worm.

17. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end adapted to support and guide an ovoidtherealong; scale means in the line of said track means and adapted toremove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over said scalemeans; means for feeding a sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end atspaced intervals; stop means associated with said worm for preventingmore than one ovoid from bein on said scale means at any one time, saidstop means including an arcuate baiilesecured to said worm' and adaptedto block the passage of an ovoid along said track means, said bailiebeing so disposed relative to said worm that the open end of said baflieis adapted to clear an ovoid on said track means only af-ter'said wormhas moved to a position adapted to move an ovoid off said scale means;and means for rotating said worm.

18. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoid therealong; scale means in the line of said track means andadapted to remove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel thereto and adapted .to convey an ovoid along said trackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over said scalemeans; gate means synchronized with the rotation of said worm forfeeding a sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals,said gate means including a gate member adapted to block the passage ofan ovoid onto said inlet end until the end of said worm has rotated pastthe line of said track means, said gate member thereafter rising toallow such ovoid to pass onto said inlet end of said track means; andmeans for rotating said worm.

19. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoid therealong; scale means in the line of charge end and over saidscale means; gate means synchronized with the rotation of said worm forfeeding a sequence of ovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals,said gate means including a gate member adapted to teed ovoids to theinlet ovoid onto said inlet end until the end of said end of said trackmeans so that the end of said worm will not strike any ovoid tending todisplace such ovoid laterally from said track means, and including agate element adapted to feed only one ovoid at a time to said gatemember; and means for rotating said worm.

20. In an ovoid grading device, the combination of: track means havingan inlet end and a discharge end and adapted to support and guide anovoid therealong: scale means in the line of said track means andadapted to remove from said track means any ovoid weighing more than apredetermined amount; a rotatable worm positioned above said track meansand parallel 25 thereto and adapted to convey an ovoid along saidtrackmeans from said inlet end toward said discharge end and over saidscale means; gate means synchronized with the rotation of said worm forfeeding a sdiuence of ovoids onto said inlet end at spaced intervals,said gate means including a gate member adapted to block the passage ofan worm has rotated past the line of said track means, said gate memberthereafter moving to allow such ovoid to pass onto said inlet end of saitrack means; and means for rotating said worm. Y

JOSHUA A. HILL.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the flle ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 550,379 McIntyre Nov. 26, 18951,694,675 White Dec. 11, 1928 1,728,463 wyland Sept. 17, 1929 2,020,511McHenry Nov. 12, 1935 2,235,877 Guggenheim Mar. 25, 1941 2,279,947 KeenApr. 14, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 245,022 Germany Mar.25, 1912 335,951 Great Britain Oct. 6, 1930

